Ewing’s sarcoma – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Ewing’s sarcoma, sometimes written as Ewing sarcoma, is a rare type of cancerous tumor that affects the bones or the tissues surrounding the bones. This kind of sarcoma, or malignant soft tissue tumor, derives its name from James Ewing, an American pathologist. Ewing first described the tumor in 1921 when he came across it in a 14-year-old girl. She was initially thought to have osteosarcoma, but further treatments revealed it to be a distinct type of tumor that Ewing reported as a “round cell sarcoma.”

There are three types of Ewing’s sarcoma, each categorized according to where it has spread:

• Localized Ewing’s sarcoma: This kind of Ewing’s sarcoma is confined to where it began or has only affected nearby tissues.
• Metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma: The cancer has reached other parts of the body, such as the lungs, other bones, or the bone marrow.
• Recurrent Ewing’s sarcoma: When the cancer returns after treatment or fails to respond to treatment, it’s classified as Recurrent Ewing’s sarcoma.

Children and young adults are the ones most prone to developing Ewing’s sarcoma. Males are more likely to be diagnosed with this condition than females.

Known side effects of Ewing’s sarcoma

People with Ewing’s sarcoma will usually feel pain, swelling, or tenderness in the area of the tumor for weeks or months at a time. In some cases, a lump or bruise-like marking may form on the site of the tumor. The site may feel warm as well.

There are other symptoms too, namely:

• Anemia
• Broken bones with no known causes
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Also, some symptoms only appear depending on the tumor’s location. For instance, those whose tumor is located in the chest tend to experience breathlessness. Those whose tumor is near their spine can lose control of their bladder or become paralyzed.

Body systems harmed by Ewing’s sarcoma

Ewing’s sarcoma usually impacts the legs (especially the knees), pelvis, arms, ribs, and spine. However, Ewing’s sarcoma may affect other parts of the body, like the bone marrow or lungs, regardless of treatment.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent Ewing’s sarcoma

There are no specific foods that can prevent this condition. Instead, the focus should be on consuming nutrient-rich foods. According to Health.ClevelandClinic.org, people with Ewing’s sarcoma, or any cancer, should aim to eat adequate amounts of:

• Fruits: Kiwis, apples, blackberries, and cherries are loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants.
• Lean protein: Beans, lentils, and skinless turkey or chicken are excellent sources of lean protein, which is necessary for maintaining lean body muscle or mass.
• Nutritious fats: Avocado and avocado oil have monosaturated fats that help the body better absorb antioxidants.
• Vegetables: Certain kinds of vegetables are full of cancer-fighting compounds. Some of these include green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and broccoli.
• Whole grains: These are rich in health-promoting nutrients, such as dietary fiber, polyphenols, and saponins.

Furthermore, it’s best to avoid red meat and processed meats since these are high in saturated fats. These kinds of fats have been linked to the increased risk of certain cancers.

Treatments, management plans for Ewing’s sarcoma

Treatment will most often depend on the location of the tumor, its size, and the extent of the cancer. For many people with Ewing’s sarcoma, their treatment will either be one of or a combination of any of these medicinal regimens:

• Chemotherapy: This is meant to shrink or kill cancer cells through the use of medicine.
• Radiation therapy: If the tumor can’t be removed safely, radiation therapy is the next viable treatment.
• Surgery: There are three kinds of surgery available to Ewing’s sarcoma patients:
  • Resection: All that’s removed during resection is the affected bone or tissue.
  • Limb-sparing surgery: Those who undergo limb-sparing surgery will have a bit of the cancerous bone removed. It will then be replaced with a piece of metal or with a segment of bone extracted from another portion of their body.
  • Amputation: In some extreme cases, doctors will have no choice but to remove all of or part of a leg or an arm.

The earlier the diagnosis, the better since this increases the chances of successful treatment. Even when this occurs, the patient should continue to follow up with their doctor. They should expect periodical retesting as well. This is because Ewing’s sarcoma has a relatively high rate of recurrence, and has been known to return even a decade after it was treated. Moreover, people who have or have had Ewing’s sarcoma are more likely to develop a second kind of cancer.

Where to learn more

• Kids, Cancer and Gluten Free… Ethan’s Story Part 1
• Kids, Cancer and Gluten Free: Ethan’s Story Part 2 “Hello! this is your body talking!”
• Kids, Cancer and Gluten Free: Ethan’s Doctor report “Remission!!!”
• Let Food be your medicine? The Hippocratic Theory Part 1
• Let Food Be Your Medicine? Part 2 Whole Grains Naturally Gluten Free

Summary

Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare cancer that impacts the bones or the tissues around the bones. It’s most common children and young adults and in males. People who have Ewing’s sarcoma will typically feel pain or tenderness in the location of the tumor, fatigue, and go through weight loss. They may exhibit other signs and symptoms, depending on where the tumor is. Ewing’s sarcoma can be difficult to deal with due to its considerable recurrence rate, even following successful treatment.

Sources include:

Healthline.com

Hindawi.com

NHS.uk

Health.ClevelandClinic.org

EverydayHealth.com